Camera Shots, Composition and Angles

Camera Shots

 

EWS (Extreme Wide Shot): The view is so far from the subject that it isn't even visible. Often used as an establishing shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VWS (Very Wide Shot): The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still on placing it in its environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WS (Wide Shot): The subject takes up the full frame, or at least as much as comfortably possible.
AKA: long shot, full shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MS (Mid Shot): Shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCU (Medium Close Up): Half way between a MS and a CU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CU (Close Up): A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ECU (Extreme Close Up): The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cut-In: Shows some (other) part of the subject in detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CA (Cutaway): A shot of something other than the subject.

 

 

Two-Shot: A shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid-shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OSS (Over-the-Shoulder Shot): Looking from behind a person at the subject.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noddy Shot: Usually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point-of-View Shot (POV): Shows a view from the subject's perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weather Shot: The subject is the weather. Can be used for other purposes, e.g. background for graphics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Composition

 

Rule of thirds:

Rule of thirds is a balancing technique you can apply when you are taking your image. To set it up you need to find the grid tool in your camera settings and turn it on. You will then be able to line up your three things. You should line up the main points of interest or focal point with the lines.

 

Simple background:

Busy backgrounds can take a lot of focus away from the focal point. So to emphasize a specific object or subject take the photograph with a simple background such as a sheet or a wall. You can also simplify the background by using a shallow depth of field.

 

Framing a scene:

Using a frame in a shot can alter the composition dramatically. It draws attention towards the focal point and fills unwanted space. It can be achieved simply by framing the outside or part of the outside of the photograph with natural (such as a cave or a tree canopy) or man-made objects (such as windows and archways).

 

Simplicity:

A picture with a dominant image is likely to have a stronger effect on the viewer. To do this, take a picture with one or two solitary items. It is an easy and efficient way to make a point and it will also dictate the path of the viewer’s eyes.

 

Using lines:

Lines are very important when taking a photograph because it dictates where the viewer carries their eyes and helps balance or segment your photo. You can use objects such as power lines, hedges, fences or rivers.

 

Contrast:

The most important thing about your photograph is light and colour. Contrasting tones and shades create a dramatic impact. If you have a bold colour amongst soft or dull colours, that object is going to stand out, similar to a spotlight on a stage. You can also generate interest with contrasting textures (rough/smooth, shiny/dull, soft/hard) and objects (light/dark, delicate/robust, predator/prey).

 

Close ups:

When you take a photograph with a close up of an object it attracts and holds the viewer’s eye. It is quite a good way to make an impact or it can make even a common place object seem remarkable.

 

Alternative viewpoints:

Taking a photograph from an unusual place is a good way of making the ordinary look extraordinary. It shows the viewer an image or setting they may be familiar with and changes the viewpoint so they could see it from a different perspective.

 

Angles

Eye-Level: This is the most common view, being the real-world angle that we are all used to. It shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life. It is a fairly neutral shot.

High Angle: A high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.

Low Angle: This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.

Bird's Eye: The scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective. In drama it can be used to show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the characters can't. The bird's-eye view is also very useful in sports, documentaries, etc.

Slanted: Also known as a Dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect.